Get out your long johns and pocket warmers

The Rochester Downtown Alliance is pleased to announce the 5th Annual SocialICE—Rochester Minnesota’s Ice Bar event is scheduled for February 7th, 8th, and 9th, 2013. This year the event will feature seven 12-foot uniquely designed and themed ice bars. Each ice bar will have a unique theme along with a signature drink. Bar themes range from Ice Games, where you can participate in games made of ice, to Mardi Gras. The hours of operation will extend this year and be open from 4:00-10:00pm. Be sure to bring your camera to snap some photographs of the exceptional photo opportunities. Enjoy the ambiance of the ice and lighting as you sit in the ice lounge, drink from real ice glasses, and enjoy live music.

Back this year by popular demand, the Wall of ICE. The Wall of ICE will feature 27 ice sculptures sponsored by various downtown businesses, and will be located on the east end of the Peace Plaza. Grab your drink, take a walk and check out all the fantastic ice sculptures.

Be sure to bring the kids down for live ice carving demonstrations and kids’ activities, each night from 4:00-6:00pm (new this year). Don’t miss out on this family-friendly event! Come witness the ice carvers transform a block of ice into stunning ice sculptures right before your eyes. Several bars will also be serving hot chocolate and warm apple cider to keep everyone warm during this exciting event.

SocialICE will offer live music from 7:30-9:45pm each night with a live DJ from 4:00-7:30pm. All entertainment will perform live in the skyway over the Peace Plaza with music streamed out onto the Peace Plaza for the ice bar attendees to enjoy.

SocialICE Band Line-Up:· February 7th – Dustin Thomas: A young musician who makes beat-boxy, soulful, catchy folk songs and writes a lot about faith, love, and war.· February 8th – Incognito: A favorite band that plays a variety of the best dance/party-oriented music of the past five decades.· February 9th – Time Machine: A high-energy “Tribute” project, with songs that are recognizable and are meant to pack the dance floor.